March 3, 2011

The Smithsonian's Freer and Sackler Galleries will offer a variety of programs to celebrate the 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 26-April 10, in Washington, DC. The annual festival commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees from Tokyo, Japan to the United States in 1912. Throughout the festival, visitors can explore seasonal imagery and associations in Chinese and Japanese art in the exhibition "Seasons," including a magnificent display of springtime cherry blossoms in the Arts of Japan and Japanese screen galleries. Other programs include Arts of Japan tours, ImaginAsia family programs, and the ninth annual Anime Marathon. All programs are free. Visit the museum's Web page at www.asia.si.edu for up-to-date information. The complete schedule of programs is below:

Exhibition

Seasons
December 18–March 4, 2012
Galleries: 5, 6, 6 A, 7 and 13| Freer
Highlighting the permanent collection, this series of exhibitions underscores the importance of the seasons in Chinese and Japanese art and culture.

Films

Ninth Annual National Cherry Blossom Festival Anime Marathon
Saturday, April 2; 11 a.m.
Meyer Auditorium| Freer
Immerse yourself in anime culture with a full day of film screenings, music, costume events, special guests, and a tribute to the late filmmaker Satoshi Kon, who visited the marathon in 2007. This event is cosponsored by the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, and Otakorp, Inc., and is copresented with the DC Anime Club. Please check www.asia.si.edu/films.asp for updates.

Seating for films is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Auditorium doors will open approximately 30 minutes before each show.

IMAGINASIA FAMILY PROGRAMS

For children 8 to 14 and their adult companions.

Painted Parasols
Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27; 2 p.m.
Courtyard| Freer
Rain location: ImaginAsia Classroom, sublevel 2| Sackler
Examine Japanese art in the Freer to discover spring flower motifs in the clothes and accessories of Japanese women as they stroll through parks in springtime. In the Freer courtyard, paint a paper parasol to carry as you visit the cherry blossom trees around the Tidal Basin.

Anime Artists Workshop
Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3; 2 p.m.
ImaginAsia classroom, sublevel 2| Sackler
Use a manga cartoon book based on objects in the Freer collection to explore the art of China and Japan. Work with anime artists to perfect your drawings and share your work with fellow artists.

Fans for Every Season
Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10; 2 p.m.
ImaginAsia classroom, sublevel 2| Sackler
In the Freer, explore "Seasons," a series of exhibitions of Asian art, with a paper fan in hand. Sketch your favorite seasonal motif on a fan and return to the classroom in the Sackler to add colors including gold and silver.

TOURS

Arts of Japan
Saturdays, March 26, April 2 and 9; 1 p.m.
Sundays, March 27, April 3 and 10; 1 p.m.
Meet in the main lobby| Freer
Travel to Japan by examining the Freer Gallery's unparalleled collection of Japanese screens, paintings, lacquerware, prints, ceramics, and sculpture. Learn about the works' importance in Japanese culture, past and present.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is Washington, DC's and the nation's greatest springtime celebration. The 2011 Festival, March 26 – April 10, includes three spectacular weekends and daily events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. The 2011 Festival commemorates the 99th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, located at 1050 Independence Avenue S.W., and the adjacent Freer Gallery of Art, located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W., are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, except Dec. 25, and admission is free. The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange lines. For more information about the Freer and Sackler galleries and their exhibitions, programs and other events, the public is welcome to visit www.asia.si.edu. For general Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000 or TTY (202) 633-5285.

We are excited to reopen the Freer in October 2017, following a renovation to allow us to better present our art and serve our visitors. The Sackler remains open, with a full lineup of exhibitions and events both in the museum and around DC. For your safety, all visitors will have their bags checked. See the complete list of restricted items and bag sizes.